Monday marked the first day senior citizens in Missouri and across the country can sign up for the new Medicare Drug Discount Card Benefit for their prescriptions. Senator Bond hosted a public forum in Jefferson City to provide some of the details of the program. He says enrollment in the program will cost up to $30 per calendar year. And, while the sign-up period is underway now, the savings won’t start until June 1. There are 43 such cards, each representing a different plan. Bond agrees it might be difficult for a senior to try to determine which of the plans is best for a particular person. That’s where the government comes in. Seniors can call 1-800-MEDICARE or log onto www.Medicare.gov, provide information such as the drugs they take, and have Medicare officials determine which of the plans is best and where it can be bought for the best price. The program is voluntary. Any senior who is happy with his or her plan is not obliged to sign up for this new benefit.
